---

A city man was found guilty Wednesday of second-degree robbery following a seven-day trial stemming from a 2008 incident, according to a prepared release from the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office.

Virgil Baldwin, 39, of Asbury Park, and Robert King, 37, of Keansburg, were each found guilty of one count of second-degree robbery, according to the release. Assistant Prosecutor Tara Wilson handled the trial, while Monmouth County Superior Court Judge Anthony J. Mellaci, JSC, presided.

The following is from the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office press release:

Testimony revealed Baldwin and King followed their intended victim by car through several towns on the night of Nov. 29, 2008, and when she pulled up to her home in the Oakhurst section of Ocean Township, Baldwin attacked her before taking her keys and pocketbook from the back seat of her car.

Baldwin was seen by a young man from the neighborhood jumping into the passenger side of a car driven by King after hearing the victim scream. The neighbor managed to identify the car as a dark two-door Saturn. Approximately 24 minutes after the robbery, King and Baldwin were caught by a Long Branch police officer after dispatchers issued a description of the car based on information provided by the neighbor.

Baldwin faces a mandatory extended-term sentence of up to 20 years with an 85 percent period of parole ineligibility. King faces between 5 and 20 years with a discretionary extended-term with an 85 percent period of parole ineligibility. Both men are scheduled to be sentenced before Judge Mellaci on Friday, July 26.

This case was prosecuted by Assistant Prosecutor Tara Wilson. Baldwin is represented by Lawrence G. Welle, Esq. of Wall Township. King is represented by Maria D. Noto, Esq., of Matawan.

---